AROUND 100 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who surrendered to the government forces under the Army’s 4th Infantry Division were among the beneficiaries of the housing units, military officials said Sunday. 4ID public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the housing project from the National Housing Authority (NHA) was part of their Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits. He said the beneficiaries were the surrenderees who came from the Army’s 8th, 88th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Special Forces Battalion. Earlier, the National Housing Authority (NHA) in partnership with the said battalions conducted orientation to the former rebels regarding the housing projects they will be availing. In a press statement, a total of 100 former rebels who surrendered in Bukidnon received their much-awaited housing units from the government in an awarding ceremony held in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, last March 12, 2021. “This is just the first 100 out of the 250 housing units that they intend to turn over to former rebels,” said Bukidnon National Housing Authority (NHA) district manager Engr. Madeleine Gilda Abellera. Abellera said this is an aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government. "Now they come to realize that the government is true to its promise in providing their needs for the future of their children," Engr Abellera said. Dodoy Jaime, one of the former rebels, expressed his gratitude to the government for helping him and his other comrades start a normal life. "Dakong kalipay nako nga matagaan kog balay. Ako dugay-dugay man gyud ko sa bukid, among higdaan usahay maglubog mi og yuta, usahay buyo-buyo, duyanan ra gyud,” said Jaime. 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Andres Centino hoped that the turn over of the housing units to former rebels would motivate other members of the New People's Army to adhere to the government's call to leave the armed struggle. "I hope that these housing units will further motivate these FRs to become responsible members of the community and that they will help in achieving a peaceful and productive nation,” Centino said adding that the housing units may encourage other NPA members to also return to the folds of the government. (Ben Balce)